On October 10th and 11th of 2015, Mrs. B and a group of students from Buckingham’s ATA Black Belt Academy and Karate for Kids went to Master Hoover’s Karate Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We continue to go to tournaments in Region 14 every year.

Our Testing Cycle runs 8 to 9 weeks depending on Tournaments, time of year, and other scheduling issues.

All students need 3 Black ( plus colored leadership stripes for the Karate Kid / Tiger Program ) and 15 classes to ensure that they have sufficient knowledge of their material.

Black belts are on a longer schedule as they Mid term every 6 months depending on when they achieved rank. Time in rank for Black belts is equal to their rank (1st degree = 1 yr / 3rd degree=3 yrs). Time in rank for proficiency is set by the American Taekwondo Association and we adhere to their policies.

Tigers do their testing at 9:00 am on their respective testing days including those of sparring ranks. Belts are awarded immediately after to students who have passed their test requirements.

Karate Kids, Teens and Adults test at 10:30 am (subject to change due to Tiger Test size) and is usually done by noon. Belts are awarded immediately after to those students who have passed their test requirements.

All students must pass their test requirements with a passing score of 240, cumulative for form, 1 steps, boards, weapons, sparring, and attitude!

All students must earn their rank or it has no meaning. This is just one of the life skills for becoming a Black Belt. Remember if you don’t succeed the first time that too is a lesson.